Method of adhering copper foil tape to customize weight distribution

ABSTRACT

A copper tape has an elongated copper foil element with a thickness between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm and an adhesive backing. The backing has a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm. A method of adjusting aggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment includes cutting a portion of the copper tape to a length and width that adds a predetermined weight and that fits within a region of the sporting equipment and adhering the copper tape to the sporting equipment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 63/261,018, filed Sep. 9, 2021, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to adjusting aggregate weight and weightdistribution of sporting equipment and, more particularly, to a methodof adhering a copper foil tape therefor.

Tennis players, golfers, and pickleball players currently adjust theweight and/or weight distribution of their rackets, clubs, and paddles,respectively, with toxic lead tape or bulky non-toxic alternatives. Leadfoil tape, which is arguably the most used tennis racket, pickleballpaddle, and golf club weight customization tool, is toxic and leavesdangerous residue in players' bags and on players' hands.

Although the marketplace has some non-toxic alternatives (such asadherable tungsten strips or thick tungsten rods in tennis), manyplayers continue to use the toxic lead-based alternative because of itsimproved performance. The non-toxic alternatives do not offer similarperformance to lead-foil tape in terms of malleability, thickness, anddensity. Specifically, tungsten strips are much stiffer, thicker, andmore prone to falling off than lead tape. The lack of equivalentperformance from non-toxic alternatives explains why lead tape is stilla market leader in tennis racket, pickleball paddle, and golf clubcustomization tools.

As can be seen, there is a need for a non-toxic lead tape alternativewith similar or better malleability, thickness, and density.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of adjusting aggregateweight and weight distribution of sporting equipment comprises providinga copper tape comprising an elongated copper foil element; cutting aportion of the copper tape to a length and width effective to add apredetermined weight, wherein the portion is configured to fit within apredetermined region of the sporting equipment; and adhering the coppertape to the predetermined region of the sporting equipment.

In another aspect of the present invention, a copper tape for adjustingaggregate weight and weight distribution of sporting equipment comprisesan elongated copper foil element with a thickness between about 0.01 mmand about 0.2 mm and an adhesive backing coupled thereto, the adhesivebacking having a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm.

The method of using adherable copper foil tape is advantageous due toits similar malleability, thickness, adhesiveness, and density to leadtape while offering the same non-toxic benefits as tungsten strips. Infact, the method of using adherable copper foil tape may provideimproved performance characteristics as compared to lead tape.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a copper strip for customization ofa sports implement by a method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a golf club, customized withthe strip of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a pickleball paddlecustomized with the strip of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tennis racket customized with thestrip of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view thereof, taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a method of adheringcopper foil tape to a tennis racket, golf club or pickleball paddle tocustomize the aggregate weight and weight distribution of the device toimprove playability, as well as an adhesive copper foil therefor. Theweight may be applied at numerous points on multiple surfaces on theclubs, rackets, and paddles. Adherable copper foil tape may also be usedto adjust weight distribution or aggregate weight of other pieces ofsporting equipment including, but not necessarily limited to, skis,baseball bats etc.

The user may apply the copper foil tape to tennis rackets, golf clubs,or pickleball paddles to a predetermined region anywhere on the surfaceor interior of the implements.

The adhesive backing may be a glue having a strength between about 3.9N/cm and about 10 N/cm. The adhesive glue may be applied duringmanufacture or may be supplied separately and applied by the user.

The adhesive copper foil tape may be any suitable thickness and may becut to a portion having a predetermined length and width operative tohave a predetermined weight. The tape may be cut before applyingadhesive glue to the back of the tape to ensure its adhesiveness to thetennis racket, golf club, or pickleball paddle's surface. For example,the malleable foil thickness may be between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2mm, such as within the range of about 0.07 mm to about 0.12 mm.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 , FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary copperstrip or copper tape 10, with a first surface comprising an elongatedcopper foil element 12 and a second, opposite surface comprising anadhesive backing 14. The copper strip 10 may be adhered to a variety ofsports equipment, such as a golf club 16 shown in FIG. 3 , a pickleballpaddle 18 shown in FIG. 4 , and a tennis racket 20 illustrated in FIGS.5 and 6 .

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of adjusting aggregate weight and weightdistribution of sporting equipment, comprising: a. providing a coppertape comprising an elongated copper foil element; b. cutting a portionof the copper tape to a length and width effective to add apredetermined weight, wherein the portion is configured to fit within apredetermined region of the sporting equipment; and c. adhering thecopper tape to the predetermined region of the sporting equipment. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the sporting equipment is selected fromthe group consisting of: a tennis racket, a golf club, a pickleballpaddle, a ski, and a baseball bat.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thecopper tape has a thickness between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the copper tape has a thickness betweenabout 0.07 mm to about 0.12 mm.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thecopper tape comprises an adhesive backing.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the adhesive backing has a strength between about 3.9 N/cm andabout 10 N/cm.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying anadhesive to the copper tape prior to adhering the copper tape to thepredetermined region of the sporting equipment.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein the adhesive has a strength between about 3.9 N/cm and about10 N/cm.
 9. A copper tape for adjusting aggregate weight and weightdistribution of sporting equipment, comprising an elongated copper foilelement with a thickness between about 0.01 mm and about 0.2 mm and anadhesive backing coupled thereto, the adhesive backing having a strengthbetween about 3.9 N/cm and about 10 N/cm.
 10. The copper tape of claim9, wherein the elongated copper foil element has a thickness betweenabout 0.07 mm to about 0.12 mm.